On May 1, 2026, the Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) and Commander of the South Zone, General de Corps d'ArmΓ©e, met with US military officials at the FAR headquarters to discuss bilateral military cooperation and preparations for the African Lion 2026 joint exercises. The meeting was held on instructions from King Mohammed VI, Supreme Commander and Chief of General Staff of the FAR.
African Lion is an annual, multinational military exercise led by US Africa Command (AFRICOM) and hosted by Morocco. The 2026 edition is expected to involve thousands of troops from Morocco, the United States, and several allied nations, focusing on interoperability, counterterrorism, and regional security.
Discussions covered training schedules, logistical coordination, and the strategic importance of the exercises for stability in North and West Africa. The meeting reaffirmed the long-standing defense partnership between Morocco and the United States, which dates back to the 18th century.
